Since Bill C-3 took effect in December 2025, Canadian citizenship by descent has moved quickly from expanded eligibility to tighter document review. In June 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada began reviewing some citizenship certificates it had already issued, temporarily slowing finalization of new proof-of-citizenship applications.
Current status
IRCC says its review of citizenship certificates is largely resolved and that finalization of pending applications is expected to resume “within the next few days.”
A routine check in early June flagged 100 certificates for potentially insufficient documentation out of roughly 6,500 applications reviewed. Of those:
- 33 certificates were automatically reinstated
- 67 cases remained under resolution
- The 67 outstanding cases represented roughly 1% of certificates issued under Bill C-3 to date
The review began on June 13, 2026, when IRCC contacted some certificate recipients. In the weeks that followed, the department paused finalizing new citizenship-by-descent applications and updated its guidance on supporting documentation.
The review is described as scrutiny of a small subset of cases, not a broad rejection of proof-of-citizenship applications. Cases that meet the updated standard are proceeding, while applicants in unresolved cases are generally expected to be reinstated or contacted for more information.
What changed under Bill C-3
Bill C-3 took effect on December 15, 2025. It removed the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent.
According to the article, anyone born before that date with a documented, continuous line from a Canadian ancestor may now qualify, regardless of the number of generations, with no residency requirement. The change responded to a 2023 court ruling that found the previous limit unconstitutional.
In the first three months after the law took effect, 4,075 certificates were issued under the new rules, with roughly half going to Americans.
Documentation standard
Eligibility rules for citizenship by descent have not changed. The change is in the document standard.
IRCC’s updated supporting-document requirement now specifies records from the “original” source authority. This may include:
- Civil registry records
- Vital statistics office records
- Records from an equivalent official body
Documents drawn from open or secondary sources may create issues if they do not meet the updated standard.
Building a file may be more complicated where records are old, in a foreign language, or span multiple generations. Applicants with uncertain documentation may need legal advice before submitting or responding to IRCC.
If you already applied and are waiting
Applicants who already submitted a proof-of-citizenship application are not affected in terms of eligibility.
The practical priority is to ensure the file meets IRCC’s updated source-document standard. Any gaps should be explained in writing. A well-documented file is less likely to be flagged.
If you are considering applying
Applications for a Canadian citizenship certificate can still be submitted.
Applicants should review eligibility criteria and confirm that supporting records come from the original source authority before applying.
If you received a surrender letter
A surrender letter is not the same as a rejection.
If an applicant received a letter asking them to surrender a citizenship certificate, there are two likely outcomes:
- IRCC reinstates the certificate based on the existing file
- IRCC contacts the applicant directly to request specific additional information or documentation
If IRCC requests more information, the applicant should respond with the documents or details requested. If no contact has been received, no action is required while the case remains under review.
People already in Canada can continue working and keep their status while the case is under review.
Applicants may be asked not to use a Canadian passport issued on the basis of a certificate under review until IRCC resolves the file. Anyone who has already travelled internationally on that passport, or has upcoming travel, should assess their specific situation before relying on it again.
Timeline of key developments
December 15, 2025: Bill C-3 takes effect, removing the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent.
February–March 2026: Lawyers and consultants report a sharp rise in proof-of-citizenship demand, especially from Americans. In the first three months, 4,075 certificates are issued under the new rules, with roughly half going to Americans.
June 2026: The queue passes 82,000 applications. Published wait times rise to 15 months, up from about 9 months.
June 13, 2026: IRCC sends surrender letters to some certificate holders while reviewing their files. Some letters cite concerns about supporting documents from open or secondary sources.
Mid-June 2026: IRCC temporarily stops finalizing some new citizenship-by-descent applications and raises the documentary standard, requiring proof of lineage from the original source authority.
Mid-June 2026: Immigration lawyers argue that the department shifted the documentary standard after approving applications and question whether forcing people to surrender issued certificates could be unconstitutional.
June 19, 2026: Revalidation letters begin. Some recipients are told they may keep their certificates after re-review, with many reporting that they submitted no new evidence.
June 23, 2026: Immigration Minister Lena Diab confirms that no new applications are being finalized and that files are under review. She says those deemed acceptable “are being told you’re fine.”
June 30, 2026: IRCC says its expanded review of roughly 6,500 applications is complete. It reports that 100 certificates were flagged for potentially insufficient documentation, 33 were reinstated, and 67 remained outstanding.
July 8, 2026: The proof-of-citizenship wait time reaches 19 months, up from 15 months in June. The queue reaches 99,500 people waiting as of July 7, after growing by roughly 17,500 applicants in a month.
Practical implications
Bill C-3 remains in force, and citizenship-by-descent eligibility has not changed. The main issue is documentation.
Applicants should focus on proving each generational link with records from original source authorities and explaining any gaps clearly. Those with older records, foreign-language documents, or multi-generation claims should expect closer scrutiny and longer processing times.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
